How do you define success…and how do you measure up to your own definition?

How do you define success…and how do you measure up to your own definition? 
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1 Answer

Answer :

TRAPS: Seems like an obvious enough question. Yet many executives, unprepared for it, fumble the ball.

BEST ANSWER: Give a well-accepted definition of success that leads right into your own stellar collection of achievements. 

Example: “The best definition I’ve come across is that success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal.” 

“As to how I would measure up to that definition, I would consider myself both successful and fortunate…”(Then summarize your career goals and how your achievements have indeed represented a progressive path toward realization of your goals.)   
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Related questions

How would you define success?

Description : How would you define success?

Last Answer : Success is defined dierently for everybody. Just make sure the parameters are defined by you with regards to work life balance, financial gain, career growth, achievements, creating meaningful work / products and so forth. If you can clearly articulate what it means to you that is a strong answer.

How do you measure your own performance?

Description : How do you measure your own performance?

Last Answer : You want to come across as someone who cares about his/her performance and has a way to measure it. Explain how you measure your performance and what you do to correct your performance if it needs to be corrected or adjusted.

How do you handle success?

Description : How do you handle success?

Last Answer : I give myself a quick pat on the back and move on to the next project. Of course, I take the time to figure out what helped me succeed and use that experience to help me the next time. This prospective ... ways of getting the word out. Besides, if he's so busy bragging, who's doing all his work?

What are your standards of success in school? What have you done to meet these standards?

Description : What are your standards of success in school? What have you done to meet these standards?

Last Answer : The interviewer wants to see that you are self-driven and that you set your own high standards, not that you only achieve because you are forced to. Explain what your standards are and how you successfully meet them.

Give me an example of an important goal which you had set in the past and tell me about your success in reaching it.

Description : Give me an example of an important goal which you had set in the past and tell me about your success in reaching it.

Last Answer : Many people want to mention their college education as the goal, but unless you achieved it through a dierent path than most people you should try to come up with a dierent example.

What is more important to you money or success?

Description : What is more important to you money or success?

Last Answer : First ask yourself that question before the interview - what are your priorities? Are money and success actual one in the same goal for you? If not, what's more important based on how do you define success?

How have you achieved your success?

Description : How have you achieved your success?

Last Answer : Discuss stories of how you've progressed over the years to achieve success. People relate best to stories.

What's been your biggest success to date?

Description : What's been your biggest success to date?

Last Answer : Talk about a story / experience about how you achieved success and be sure to share details on the results and outcome. Have it highlight a strong characteristic such as leadership, work ethic and so forth.

What is more important to you money or success?

Description : What is more important to you money or success?

Last Answer : This is tricky question, as money and success both are important and you cannot outweigh the importance of one over the other. Personally you might prefer money over success or success over money, but ... being, if one is successful money often follows and you need not focus on money over success..

How would your past experience translate into success in this job?

Description : How would your past experience translate into success in this job?

Last Answer : Interview questions: How would your past experience translate into success in this job? Answer tips/answer samples: You may tell from the interviewer's tone whether he is suspecting your past ... don't forget to name the potential challenges and developments that the job may pose and offer.

Do you work well on your own?

Description : Do you work well on your own?

Last Answer : Yes, I do. I'm very focused and efficient. This is a very simple and honest answer. Most jobs will require you to work on your own sometimes, if not all the time. Never Say: I ... team at times. Don't volunteer information that makes you seem difficult to work with; just answer the question.

Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?

Description : Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?

Last Answer : This question is really to see if you have a dierent agenda. You should talk about how your interests and the organization align. What is your mission in life, how does this organization also carry out this mission, and how will you fit in and work toward the same goal?

Have you ever considered starting your own business?

Description : Have you ever considered starting your own business?

Last Answer : Talk about how you are happiest and do your best work in a company that is similar to the one you’re applying at. Don't talk about how you’d love to be your own boss one day.

Have you consider starting your own business?

Description : Have you consider starting your own business?

Last Answer : TRAPS: If you say yes and elaborate enthusiastically, you could be perceived as a loose cannon in a larger company, too entrepreneurial to make a good team player or someone who had to settle ... more information you've uncovered about the position, the more believable you can make your case.  

What would you do if a fellow executive on your own corporate level wasn’t pulling his/her weight…and this was hurting your department?

Description : What would you do if a fellow executive on your own corporate level wasn’t pulling his/her weight…and this was hurting your department? 

Last Answer : TRAPS: This question and other hypothetical ones test your sense of human relations and how you might handle office politics. BEST ANSWER: Try to gauge the political style of the firm and be ... a situation that couldn't be resolved by harnessing others in a determined, constructive effort.    

Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?

Description : Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?

Last Answer : Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own? Answer tips This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. Do not worry about the deep ethical and philosophical ... but in return I would expect the organization to take care of my needs as an individual.

How do you define arrogance? Are you arrogant?

Description : How do you define arrogance? Are you arrogant?

Last Answer : Arrogance is having an attitude of superiority beyond reason. Confidence is believing in yourself without being cocky. You should not be arrogant.

What is the definition of success?

Description : What is the definition of success?

Last Answer : Achieving your personal goals.

Everyone defines success differently. What is your personal definition of success?

Description : Everyone defines success differently. What is your personal definition of success?

Last Answer : financial success. Then successful at creating a strong bonded family.

What’s your definition of success?

Description : What’s your definition of success?

Last Answer : Being content with your situation.

What is your ideal definition of success?

Description : What is your ideal definition of success?

Last Answer : Happiness

How do you measure your success in life?

Description : How do you measure your success in life?

Last Answer : I believe that I have been a success. I try to look at everything in a positive manner. It doesn't really matter what I think, but have you accomplished, or gotten to the point where you wanted ... right career move. Just stay with what you have, until you decide, and have another job lined up.

What is the true measure of success?

Description : What is the true measure of success?

Last Answer : I think that’s probably a different answer for different people. Some would measure their success by happiness, others by financial gain, and still others by freedom. I don’t know that there is one correct answer.

What is rational at any given time depends on? a) The performance measure that defines the criterion of success b) The agent’s prior knowledge of the environment c) The actions that the agent can perform d) All of the mentioned

Description : What is rational at any given time depends on? a) The performance measure that defines the criterion of success b) The agent’s prior knowledge of the environment c) The actions that the agent can perform d) All of the mentioned

Last Answer : d) All of the mentioned

A measure A measure of the success of an success of an operation in converting operation in converting inputs to inputs to outputs is outputs is a. Efficiency b. Effectiveness Effectiveness c. Quality d. Profitability

Description : A measure A measure of the success of an success of an operation in converting operation in converting inputs to inputs to outputs is outputs is a. Efficiency b. Effectiveness Effectiveness c. Quality d. Profitability

Last Answer : a. Efficiency

A measure A measure of the success of an success of an operation in producing operation in producing outputs that outputs that satisfy customers satisfy customers is a. Efficiency b. Effectiveness Effectiveness c. Quality d. Profitability

Description : A measure A measure of the success of an success of an operation in producing operation in producing outputs that outputs that satisfy customers satisfy customers is a. Efficiency b. Effectiveness Effectiveness c. Quality d. Profitability

Last Answer : c. Quality

Have you ever come up with new ways to solve a problem?

Description : Have you ever come up with new ways to solve a problem?

Last Answer : Yes, I have. We had a problem with dismissal from our after-school program. Too many children were leaving at once, causing chaos in our parking lot. I developed a system for releasing children alphabetically so ... hasn't had to solve any problems, how can she be expected to do so in the future?

I see from your resume this isn’t your first job working in a medical office. What skills did you pick up on your two previous jobs that you think would help you on this job?

Description : I see from your resume this isn’t your first job working in a medical office. What skills did you pick up on your two previous jobs that you think would help you on this job?

Last Answer : When you described the job to me, you said you needed someone who was good with patients. You also said you wanted someone who knows a lot about the different insurance plans. My primary ... who is good with patients and insurance. That would be me. This candidate needs to elaborate.

Tell me about a time when you came up with an innovative solution to a challenge your company/class/organization was facing. What was the challenge? What role did others play?

Description : Tell me about a time when you came up with an innovative solution to a challenge your company/class/organization was facing. What was the challenge? What role did others play?

Last Answer : The company wants to hire someone who can come up with solutions to problems the company is facing, and can eectively implement those solutions. Give an example from the past that shows this.

Describe a situation in which you found that your results were not up to your professor's or supervisor's expectations. What happened? What action did you take?

Description : Describe a situation in which you found that your results were not up to your professor's or supervisor's expectations. What happened? What action did you take?

Last Answer : Give a situation in which you misunderstood the expectations, not where you didn't do your best. Misunderstandings happen, and you can explain that now you always make certain you understand exactly what your boss or professor wants.

How do you stay up to date with industry?

Description : How do you stay up to date with industry?

Last Answer : Discuss how you stay up to date by reading industry specific sites, magazines, and Google / yahoo news. Also make sure you stay up to date by reading the current news on the company's website.

You are scheduled to leave at 6 pm. Your replacement worker doesn’t show up. What would you do?

Description : You are scheduled to leave at 6 pm. Your replacement worker doesn’t show up. What would you do?

Last Answer : Sub: Free Retail interview questions and answers Interview questions: You are scheduled to leave at 6 pm. Your replacement worker doesn't show up. What would you do? Answer tips/answer samples: ... manage to ask for another replacement and wait until the new one come to hand over the shift.

Which of the following is the best definition of value ? 1. a technical measure of a company's selling price relative to its production costs 2. a measure of the mark-up charged by companies 3. the lowest prices available to consumers 4. the best price available for customer meeting his expectations 5. the ratio of benefits to costs available to buyers

Description : Which of the following is the best definition of value ? 1. a technical measure of a company's selling price relative to its production costs 2. a measure of the mark-up charged by ... price available for customer meeting his expectations 5. the ratio of benefits to costs available to buyers

Last Answer : the ratio of benefits to costs available to buyers

Is there anything I’ve missed?

Description : Is there anything I’ve missed?

Last Answer : Well, I did want to mention that I was honored by my organization's board of directors for developing a program that reached out to a large number of senior citizens in need of financial assistance. We ... has been covered, he may be missing a chance to discuss something that can work in his favor.

It seems like you’ve accomplished a lot. I know everyone fails, at least occasionally. Tell me about something you failed at.

Description : It seems like you’ve accomplished a lot. I know everyone fails, at least occasionally. Tell me about something you failed at.

Last Answer : When I was a freshman in college, I decided to run for president of the management club. My opponent was in his junior year. I came up with what I thought and still think was a great ... must give a more detailed answer. This one leaves the interviewer to wonder why the applicant lost the election.

Have you ever done something that directly helped your employer either increase profits or decrease costs?

Description : Have you ever done something that directly helped your employer either increase profits or decrease costs?

Last Answer : I recently found a way to help my employer save money on office supplies. For years, they bought office supplies from the same place. It was several blocks away, so it was pretty convenient. I have found that shopping ... of saying he'll just do the job, he needs to show why he'd be great at it.

Have you ever been asked to take on a project because of your unique skill or ability?

Description : Have you ever been asked to take on a project because of your unique skill or ability?

Last Answer : Our senior developer regularly asks me to troubleshoot new programs. I've been very successful at figuring out why programs aren't working properly, and I can usually do it pretty quickly, allowing the ... to plan the party. This skill probably won't be very important to the prospective employer.

You seem to have accomplished a lot in your current job. Do you know why you weren’t promoted?

Description : You seem to have accomplished a lot in your current job. Do you know why you weren’t promoted?

Last Answer : I wasn't promoted because unfortunately there wasn't a position to promote me to. JFR was a very small, family-owned firm. The boss's two sons held the top positions, which were right above my ... of the way things are at his current job and makes the mistake of letting the interviewer know that.

What one thing do you think you’ve done very well on your last job?

Description : What one thing do you think you’ve done very well on your last job?

Last Answer : I think I was very successful in all aspects of my last job. I'm particularly proud of my work with new hires. I developed programs that helped integrate them into the company and this in turn helped our ... . If not, it appears that you can't think of anything you did well at your last job.

What motivates you to go above and beyond the call of duty?

Description : What motivates you to go above and beyond the call of duty?

Last Answer : Honestly, I don't have a sense of what is above and beyond the call of duty. It's not like I can just do enough to get by and then stop. When I work on a project, I do my very ... recognition for my work. This candidate doesn't seem to be self-motivated, since her rewards come from the outside.

Have you ever had to overcome a major obstacle? How did you do it?

Description : Have you ever had to overcome a major obstacle? How did you do it?

Last Answer : Yes, I did. My family couldn't afford to pay for college. I applied for as much financial aid as possible, but I still had to work to pay for whatever that didn't cover. I ... this candidate hired. She needs to demonstrate perseverance and therefore should try to find some obstacle to speak about.

If I asked your current employer to tell us about your accomplishments, what do you think he would say?

Description : If I asked your current employer to tell us about your accomplishments, what do you think he would say?

Last Answer : He would probably talk about the time he asked me to present a new marketing campaign to one of our more difficult clients. I spent over a week preparing for that presentation. Since I knew this ... breaks one of the cardinal rules of job interviewing - to never speak negatively about a former boss.

Tell me about the personal accomplishment that you are the proudest of.

Description : Tell me about the personal accomplishment that you are the proudest of.

Last Answer : Last year I ran a marathon for the first time. I've been a runner for years, but I never ran more than four miles at a time. I began training four months before the big day. It was ... of how she reached this goal, this candidate doesn't show off any strengths when she gives this example.

Name the two work-related accomplishments of which you are proudest.

Description : Name the two work-related accomplishments of which you are proudest.

Last Answer : I converted a manual payroll system to a computerized system, which cuts down the amount of time we spend on payroll each week. I also wrote a manual that explained all bookkeeping department procedures ... affected the company. They also don't explain how he earned his good reviews and promotion.

What has been your greatest accomplishment as part of a team?

Description : What has been your greatest accomplishment as part of a team?

Last Answer : I worked on a team that developed a program for children who were going home to an empty house after school because their parents worked. We had volunteers who would help the kids with their ... the question because working on a team is probably typical of the position for which he is hiring.

Have you ever received formal recognition for something you accomplished?

Description : Have you ever received formal recognition for something you accomplished?

Last Answer : Yes. I won Salesperson of the Month four times when I was working for Ace Stereo. Those with the largest increase in sales over the previous month were rewarded in this way. I believe I ... for a fashion-consulting position, this answer doesn't highlight any skills that will impress the employer.

Have you ever had to take over an assignment at the last minute?

Description : Have you ever had to take over an assignment at the last minute?

Last Answer : I've had to do that more than once - actually several times. The most recent time was when a colleague was scheduled to attend a meeting out of town and came down with the flu two days before he ... in order to make a successful presentation. Never Say: Yes, it has happened. Give an example.

Tell me how you were of value to your previous employer.

Description : Tell me how you were of value to your previous employer.

Last Answer : My previous employer valued my ability to deal with difficult clients. Whenever we had a client who was very demanding, my boss would ask me to be the one to work with her. He said he knew I was so ... up on time. Showing up on time is expected and doesn't set this candidate apart from any other.

Can you describe how you accomplished a personal goal?

Description : Can you describe how you accomplished a personal goal?

Last Answer : I wrote a short story, and my goal was to get it published. I went to the library and researched which magazines accepted short-story submissions. Then I sent my story to those publications that ... for about six months. This answer does not demonstrate any skills that are needed in the workplace.

Describe how you accomplished a work-related goal.

Description : Describe how you accomplished a work-related goal.

Last Answer : When I started working for Daylight Publications, I discovered that I had inherited a huge file cabinet full of photographs. We used photographs in our magazine but usually wound up purchasing stock photos, ... able to do it. This in no way demonstrates any job-related skills the interviewee has.